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John and Barbara Anne (nee Perkis) SAELMANS

John SAELMANS Obituary

SAELMANS, John (Jacobus Johannes) and Barbara Anne (née Perkis). John passed away on December 26, 2025 (aged 93), and Barbara on January 16, 2026 (aged 85), in New Plymouth, after 64 years of marriage. Loved parents of Michelle Politakis (David) and Robert Saelmans (Wendy). Treasured Opa and Oma of Natasha (Kai), Marco (Grace), and Anneke; proud great- grandparents of Emily and Luka. Forever loved. Forever remembered. In Gods liefdevolle handen. Vospers New Plymouth 06 7590912
Published by The New Zealand Herald on Jan. 21, 2026.

Memories and Condolences
for John SAELMANS

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16 Entries

Vanessa Milne

January 26, 2026

Condolences to all of John´s family from afar.
I was fortunate to work with John at VTT and I will always treasure the time and sound advice he gave me as well as the wonderful times we spent laughing and telling jokes. Fun, loyal and cherished by anyone who had the good fortune to meet him. May he rest in peace and his family have comfort knowing he was one of the most high. I am privileged and grateful for having had his friendship and will always remember him as happy and kind.
A truely beautiful man.

John Hunter

January 19, 2026

My sincere condolences and sympathy to Michelle and Dave and families. So sorry to hear of the passing of your Dad. It is never easy and there will be a lot of memories to hold on to.

Wendy Saelmans

January 18, 2026

Lovely John.. you were so warm and kind to me.. ever grateful for a meal and always beamed when we caught up..you were like a second dad and felt privileged to have spent time with you and Barb. Much love always Wendy

Hiran Fernando

January 15, 2026

Please accept our deepest sympathies on the passing of your Dad
It was nice seeing him in church with you. Michelle.
May he rest in peace.
Hiran and Pretheeva.

Bryce Hollands

January 14, 2026

Sympathies to family you worked for Howard Wright, then I came across you when you worked at be your own boss.

Cherry Clayton

January 10, 2026

Deepest sympathy to John's family at this sad time. I will miss the over the fence chats we had. He was a lovely man.

Graham &Adie Harris

January 9, 2026

Barbara, so many years have past since we used to come and visit you and Robert. Our son Darrell was very good friends with Robert at school?? Graham and I send our heartfelt condolences at the loss of father,husband& grandad.
From both of us and from Darrell as well.

Marianne en John

January 9, 2026

We will allways remember the warm welcome that ome Joop and tante Barbara gave us with we visited NZ with your children, after all the year we went back to Holland. It felt so familiar and nearby. That is what beeing family can bring, what ome Joop could give.

Earl Quicke

January 9, 2026

Helen and I send our sympathy to Michelle and Dave and extended families at this difficult time. The loss of parent is never easy. "

Nicole & Oubay

January 9, 2026

Ome Joop you lived with humour, integrity and love. We miss you

Trish Niles

January 8, 2026

Loved talking to John & Barbara. Such a lovely & loving couple. So sad for Barbara,& family. Rest in peace Silver Fox
Trish (ex pak n save)

Declan G Thompson

January 8, 2026

In today´s (8 Jan 2026) internet copy of the Taranaki Daily News via Legacy.com I saw the death notice for John Saelmans.
To all his family, and especially to Robert, whom I remember from those far off days at FDMC, I offer my sincere sympathy.
With his death the final curtain now comes down, on so much that has been part of your own lives, leaving no doubt many happy memories of the years gone so quickly.
May the Good Lord welcome John home with outstretched arms, and may he now be with his wife Barbara forever at peace.
Declan G Thompson.. (retired now in Sydney) [email protected]

Wilma

January 8, 2026

Afstand zegt niks bij familie. Lieve ome Joop. We zullen je nooit vergeten.

Wilma Hendriks Janssen

January 8, 2026

Lieve ome Joop. De afstand in kilometers is anders dan de afstand tussen familie. We zullen je nooit vergeten.

Jeanne en Marianne

January 8, 2026

Lieve ome Joop
Voor altijd in ons hart

Franz Peter & Heike

January 8, 2026

We had our best laughs with Ome Joop! I will never forget him telling old stories from the Saelmans family with this lovely smile on his lips.
We will never forget you.
Love you Ome Joop!

Showing 1 - 16 of 16 results

Memorial Events
for John SAELMANS

To offer your sympathy during this difficult time, you can now have memorial trees planted in a National Forest in memory of your loved one.